Covington voters will consider a sales tax proposition when they go to the polls Nov. 6.

The proposition changes the language of a one-cent tax passed in 1957.

"It was a very broad language to include all the municipal services that were provided at that time," Covington Mayor Mike Cooper said.

Cooper and the City Council said changing the wording of the tax is critical to the future of public safety in the city.

"The explicit language did not mention the police department, and it did not mention the administration -- the administrative functions," council member Lee Alexius said.

Cooper said a failure to pass the proposition could lead to serious consequences.

"It would actually mean that we could not spend money toward police -- law enforcement -- whether it would be our department, or any other department, to provide safety and law enforcement for our community," Cooper said.

A similar measure passed in Mandeville a few months ago. Slidell is expected to take up the issue later this year.

"No matter whether you vote 'yes' or 'no,' you're still going to pay the one-cent sales tax. It doesn't make any difference. The difference is that you probably won't have any law enforcement in the city of Covington," Covington Police Department Chief Richard Palmisano said.

Alexius said the proposition is all in order to keep up with the times.

"The administration functions -- the code enforcement, the planning, zoning -- all those things that did not exist back in 1957, plus the law enforcement will be covered," she said.

Cooper said the city's reliance on the dedicated fund balance to supplement law enforcement and administration is unsustainable.

"It's not that we are using up the surplus, it's just that it is time that we look forward to be able to sustain our budget in the future," Cooper said.

"We're talking in the area -- I'm guessing $6 million or $7 million -- to support police and all the administrative functions, which is not there unless we get this re-dedication," Alexius said.